Winter conditions in Bulgaria, 310 snow ploughing machines operating on the roads

More than 310 snow poughs are working in the areas with snowfall to ensure safe travel for drivers on national roads, according to the Road Infrastructure Agency on January 21.

The treatment of road surfaces continues, especially in wet places and facilities where there are conditions for slippery and icing. If necessary, additional machines will be included in the cleaning.

23 combined snow ploughs are working on Trakia Motorway in the section from Sofia to the Trayanovi Vrata tunnel. The first treatment of the road was made at 4.00 am. on the motorway section with 23 combined snow ploughs, 2 patrol and 3 loading machines.

There was heavy snowfall in this section in the morning. The snow ploughing machines have not stopped working, there is no restriction on the traffic of vehicles. Currently the motorway is cleared to asphalt.

The teams of the road maintenance companies monitor the weatther forecasts and take the necessary actions for processing the routes in order to ensure the passability of the roads. Priority is given to the motorways, the busiest first and second class road network and the passes providing the connections between Northern and Southern Bulgaria.

The Road Infrastructure Agency advises motorists to travel with vehicles equipped for winter conditions, to drive at a speed consistent with the road conditions, not to take risky maneuvers and to avoid overtaking snow ploughing machines. Blocking of traffic by vehicles that are not prepared for driving in winter conditions may cause disruptions for all other drivers to travel and the work of snow removal equipment.

Up-to-date information on the road conditions and maintenance is available on the RIA website, www.api.bg, and on the telephone line 0700 130 20 at any time.

The Agency has a 24-hour Situation Centre, which collects and summarizes data on the state of national roads.

images by RIA